How Does the Austin Homelessness
Response System Compare?
Intro language: What should we say here? Who is this for? And what are our main points? What are the key takeaways from the data and do we have recommendations?
Key Takeaways:
- Per capita homelessness one of the highest in TX but relatively low compared to similar U.S. cities.
- One of the highest rates of chronic homelessness in the state and country, and that has been consistent. The consistency of this makes it harder, over time, to house people.
- Number of people experiencing homelessness for the first time, as measured by a shelter stay, is relatively low compared to other cities. But that may be more a reflection of shelter capacity than anything else.
- Capacity to house people is consistently the lowest, in both TX and across the country. This is true for total capacity and PSH capacity and when measured by the capacity relative to the need (i.e., number of people experiencing homelessness) and relative to the total population in the city.
- Number of people exiting the system, compared to how many are in the system, is relatively flat and is somewhere in the middle compared to other cities.
- Performance is getting better and, by most measures, is great compared to other cities.
- For example, exits to permanent housing rates have increased and are some of the best in the state and across the country.
- Retention in PSH or exits from PSH to permanent housing is also improving and one of the best in the state and across the country.
- The returns to homelessness rate is also consistently one of the lowest in the state and country. This is true both for returns for people whose last exit was in any program type and those whose last exit was a permanent housing program.
The Need
Point In Time Estimates
The Point in Time estimates are one day approximations of the number of people experiencing homelessness in January.
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Chronic Homelessness
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First Time Sheltered Homelessness
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Capacity
Total Beds in the System
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